VA Maryland Health Care System

Major League Umpire Visits Hospitalized Veterans

Joseph Johnson (left), a hospitalized veteran at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, received an autographed photo and baseball card during an encouraging visit from Major League Umpire Jerry Layne.

December 12, 2008

When Major League Baseball Umpire Jerry Layne talks, people listen. Whether calling balls and strikes in major league games or telling amusing baseball anecdotes to sick and disabled veterans at VA medical centers – he gets attention. Layne shared some of those baseball anecdotes during a special visit with hospitalized veterans at the Baltimore VA Medical Center.

Layne has been umpiring in the majors since 1988, a profession which demands that he visit each city on the major league circuit. During those trips he takes time to visit hospitalized veterans in VA medical centers as part of the Disabled American Veterans VA Voluntary Service program.

“I want to bring smiles and brighter days to those veterans who have given so much to our country,” said Layne. “We have a free country because veterans made it free and keep it free,” commented Layne. “Brightening the lives of sick and disabled veterans with a friendly visit is a very small price to pay for what all Americans owe them.”